Airlines Avert Shutdown as Keyamo Brokers Truce Over Jet Fuel Crisis

Nigerian airline operators have suspended their planned nationwide shutdown following last-minute intervention by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, easing fears of a major disruption in air travel.

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) announced the decision after an emergency meeting of its Executive Council and Board of Trustees, agreeing to halt the strike earlier scheduled for April 20, 2026.

In a communiqué issued Friday, the association said the suspension is temporary and conditional, aimed at allowing room for dialogue after the minister appealed for restraint and assured operators of swift government action.

The looming shutdown had been driven largely by the soaring cost of JetA1 fuel, which operators say has placed unsustainable pressure on airline operations across the country.

AON confirmed that a follow-up meeting with government representatives and key stakeholders has been fixed for April 22, 2026, to seek a lasting resolution to the crisis.

As part of the agreement, the association called on aviation agencies and service providers to support ongoing operations and avoid measures that could further strain airlines, including demands for upfront payments and excessive financial pressure.

The group added that it would review the outcome of the upcoming talks before making any final decision on whether to proceed with the suspended shutdown.

The development offers temporary relief to passengers and businesses that had braced for widespread flight cancellations amid the escalating cost challenges in Nigeria’s aviation sector.